Atiqa Odho

Atiqa Odho (Urdu: عتیقہ اوڈھو; born 12 February 1968) is a Pakistani television and film actress and television host. She debuted in Anwar Maqsood’s TV series Sitara aur Mehrunissa and later starred in a string of successful films, including Jo Darr Gya Woh Marr Gya, Mummy and Mujhe Chand Chahiye.

Biography

Odho was born in Karachi, Pakistan on February 12, 1968. She originally belongs to Village Tajodero, District Jacobabad. Her native village is in the name of her grandfather Late Taj Muhammad Khan Odho. She is married, and has three children. She started her professional life as a make-up artist and hairstylist in 1989. While working as a make-up artist for various advertising agencies in Karachi, she was discovered by television personality, Anwar Maqsood. She starred in his play, “Sitara Aur Mehrunissa” in 1993; the role turned her into a household name in Pakistan. In 1995, she made her film debut in Jo Darr Gya Woh Marr Gya.

Odho has since worked in many popular television and film projects and has been actively involved in both media and the cosmetic industry in Pakistan. She resides in the UAE and Pakistan.

Social work

Since 2009, she has also been engaged in philanthropic activities. She has been working for Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital, Fatmeed Foundation and as a social worker in “Hamara Mulk, Hamaray Log”. She is currently the CEO of Odho Cosmetics, and Odho Productions. She is also the ambassador for the campaign on awareness of breast cancer in Pakistan.

Politics

In 2010-11, Odho became a member of the All Pakistan Muslim League.

On June 5, 2011, Odho was caught at Islamabad Airport for possessing two bottles of imported liquor. She was scheduled to travel to Karachi from Islamabad by PK-319 flight. Odho told ASF officials that she had previously been taking champagne but none stopped her before. She was allowed to go by the officials without taking any action apparently due to influence used by her.

Subsequently, she tendered her resignation from party’s basic membership following the instructions of APML’s senior leaders.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry took suo moto notice of the incident and the case was taken up for hearing on 8 June 2011. Sources said the FIR had been lodged on behalf of an Assistant Collector Pakistan Customs in the Airport Police Station. She has been booked on the charges of carrying two bottles of imported wine.